As an officer of the Continental Navy of the American Revolution, John Paul Jones helped establish the traditions of courage and professionalism that the Sailors of the United States Navy today proudly maintain. John Paul was born in a humble gardener's cottage in Kirkbean, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, went to sea as a youth, and was a merchant shipmaster by the age of twenty-one. Having taken up residence in Virginia, he volunteered early in the War of Independence to serve in his adopted country's infant navy and raised with his own hands the Continental ensign on board the flagship of the Navy's first fleet. He took the war to the enemy's homeland with daring raids along the British coast and the famous victory of the Bonhomme Richard over HMS Serapis. After the Bonhomme Richard began taking on water and fires broke out on board, the British commander asked Jones if he had struck his flag. Jones replied, "I have not yet begun to fight!" In the end, it was the British commander who surrendered. Jones is remembered for his indomitable will, his unwillingness to consider surrender when the slightest hope of victory still burned. Throughout his naval career Jones promoted professional standards and training. Sailors of the United States Navy can do no better than to emulate the spirit behind John Paul Jones's stirring declaration: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way."

Bibliography

Abbott, John S.C. John Paul Jones. New York: University Society, 1905.

____. Life and Adventures of Rear Admiral John Paul Jones, Commonly Called Paul Jones. New York: Dodd & Mead, 1874.

De Koven, Anna Farwell. The Life and Letters of John Paul Jones. New York: Scribner's Sons, 1913.

Ellsberg, Edward. Captain Paul. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1941.

Fanning, Nathaniel. Narrative of the Adventures of an American Navy Officer, Who Served During Part of the American Revolution Under the Command of Com. John Paul Jones, esq. New York: Printed for N. Fanning, 1806.

"New Light Upon the Career of John Paul Jones." United States Naval Institute Proceedings 122 (June 1907): 683-709. [presents a collection of letters from Jones' neice Janette Taylor].

Otis, James. The Life of John Paul Jones: Written from Original Letters and Manuscripts in Possession of His Relatives and From the Collection Prepared by John Henry Sherburne; Together with Chevalier Jones' Own Account of the Campaign of the Liman. New York: A.L. Burt, 1900.